GRADUATION DAY!!!!!

Dr. Cotton tells everyone that the last day is Graduation Day!!! It was so sad to see everyone go! There was so much to learn today too! We went through 8 methods today. I think that was the biggest day of all of them. I took so many notes my fingers were ready to fall off. :) Well there was lots of picture taking too. It was a bittersweet goodbye. I will miss everyone so much!!

Day 4 - Afternoon

This afternoon, we worked with Drama. If you get the students to act out some things they will be able to remember what they are acting, and get the feeling correct for the certain situation. It also helped us to understand the use of flash cards. It is more effective to use flash cards with pictures rather than words on both sides. It is some really interesting stuff!! I can't believe tomorrow is the last day. We have all made some really good friends.

Day 4 - Morning

This morning was tons of fun!! We had to use music in class today. It is actually a very good way to teach people how to spell and pronounce words. We did a sample in class. I will have to show everyone when I get back. It is really interesting. I hope everyone enjoys it as much as me.

Day 3 - Afternoon

This afternoon, we discussed the idea of the students having their own phrase book. It really helps them with specific phrases that they would like to know. That way, what they are learning is not so boring because they will be learning what they want to learn. However, each person's phrase book has to be their own ideas, because then it is pointless to have one if they are learning something they don't want to. Well, more later.

Day 3 - Morning

This morning, we went over the difference between learning a different language with tapes, CDs, computer programs, and learning from a person. It is actually very effective when you use the tapes and CDs. It is also cheaper in many cases. Then we learned that you have to use humor in the classroom. Your teaching will not be effective if you do not use humor. It is also known that there is not enough humor used in the classroom. Then we did a fun exercise. I will have to show the video when I come back. It is absolutely priceless!!!

Day 2 - Afternoon

In the afternoon, we went over three more methods. We actually learned how to JUGGLE!!! I know, it sounds weird, but it actually helps you learn. It is a way to remember what you are learning and how to pronounce it correctly. Then we learned another technique in which you involve the individual students again. The homework we received was to answer the following questions:

• Who laughs the most, men or women?
• Does it change after marriage?
• Do teenage boys or girls laugh more?
• How many times does a 5-year-old laugh in one day?
• Do joke tellers or joke listeners laugh more?
• Is it different with a professional comedian?
• What makes us laugh?

These were just questions to see what our opinions were. If you are wondering why, they tell us that Wednesday.

Day 2 - Morning

As of this morning, we are on method #6. The Advanced Audio Lingual method. It is one way to get the class to be more involved in the things that they are learning. I have to say, there are some things that I never thought I would do. Such as getting students to stand in front of the class and use what they are learning. But this method really made me see that all the students have to participate whether they like it or not. It is the only way they can really learn the language!! Well that was the morning.

Day 1 - Afternoon

OK, so Monday afternoon, we came back from lunch and learned three more methods. Most of this class is about methods. We learned "Educational Exercise I", "Word Frequency", and the "Audio Lingual Method". If I knew how to attach word documents, I would attach all of my notes. :) But unfortunately, I don't!!! There is so much to tell, but it is easier to tell someone by demonstrating it. I will show everyone everything when I get back. Especially the Spanish teachers.

Day 1 - Morning

Well, right now I am sitting in my room at the hotel waiting to go back to the room where we are being taught to teach English. I never expected the class to be this much fun. I took notes this morning on some of the methods he uses to teach English. I have to say, there is so much to learn. I will attach the notes to the blog. Some of the techniques Dr. Cotton uses are things I have never thought of. I will write more later, but right now, I have to go back to class and learn more. :) I hope everyone enjoys hearing what I have learned.

Less Than a Month!!

Well I only have a couple of weeks before I journey to Toronto for a week. I am super excited about my upcoming experience, but at the same time, very nervous! I love to try new things, but I like to try them with family and friends by my side. This time I will be doing it all on my own. I wish I had someone to do it with me, but then again, I am the one that is so deeply in love with the Spanish language! So, TESOL is less than a month away and I am ready to face whatever challenges come my way. I just hope that my friend (Amy) that has already done this is right when she says that it is so much fun and she wouldn't trade the experience for anything.